ABB says that automating more of construction can reduce carbon emissions. Source: ABB Robotics
The potential for industrial robots to make production more efficient and environmentally sustainable is commonly cited as a potential benefit of automation. However, this has been difficult to quantify and compare. ABB Robotics this week announced an initiative to develop a global, standardized method for measuring the energy consumption and efficiency of industrial robots.
“With no global standard currently in place, it’s a challenge for customers to compare the energy consumption of different robots and choose the most energy efficient solution.” said Gianluca Brotto, head of sustainability at ABB Robotics.
“Unlike other products such as fridges, TVs, washing machines and motors, which have clearly defined standards for how to measure and compare energy efficiency, there is no standard for measuring the energy consumption of a robot,” he noted. “This initiative will empower customers to make informed decisions and help the industry reduce its carbon footprint.”
Measurement the first step to greater energy efficiency
More than 4 million industrial robots are operating worldwide, and automation is expanding into new sectors, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). Reducing the environmental impact of robotic systems is paramount, as companies aim to reduce their emissions from energy consumption in line with the Paris Agreement, noted ABB Robotics.
Internal ABB studies found that more than 70% of its customer robots’ carbon footprint comes from electricity usage during their operational phase.
The company has worked with the Swedish Institute for Standards (SIS) to develop a proposal with experts from different robot manufacturers and research institutes in 11 countries. This led to the creation of an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) technical specification for global adoption due to be completed by August 2026.
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“This effort marks a critical step toward improving transparency and supporting the global transition to more sustainable manufacturing,” stated ABB Robotics. “With a new, global ISO technical specification in place, industrial robotics customers will be able to clearly choose the most energy-efficient robot for the job.”
ABB Robotics’ portfolio includes industrial robots, force- and power-limited cobot arms, and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), designed and orchestrated by its software and AI. It launched an Energy Efficiency Service in 2024.
The company said its “autonomous versatile robotics” (AVR) and ecosystem help businesses of all sizes and sectors — from automotive to electronics and logistics – to become more resilient, flexible, and efficient.
In October 2025, ABB Group announced plans to sell its robotics unit to SoftBank Group for $5.3 billion. ABB Robotics has about 7,000 employees, and its U.S. headquarters and factory are in Auburn Hills, Mich.
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